April Pro Series: JW Johnson

When he first hit the pro scene, JW was often compared to Ben Johns.

I’m not sure if it’s because they play similar styles or carry the same calm and collected demeanor or maybe it’s because they look somewhat the same from behind, but that said, JW Johnson is very much a player who has developed his own identity. Johnson is very even-keeled and rarely shows emotion on the court.

His hands are lightning-fast and he does something that most players have learned to avoid: play his dinks with a closed wrist. It’s a unique technique but it works for him.

Additionally, I’ve personally never seen another player drop their paddle at the side of their body and have such fast hands as him. He really has found his own style and it’s working for him.

If you read the Pro Series article on Julie Johnson, JW’s mom, then you’ll know that I met the Johnson family last year. JW was friendly and professional, just not as outgoing as his mom or little sister.

Not surprising that JW’s answers in this interview are right to the point. Read through the article to find out what “JW” really stands for...

Name: JW Johnson
Sponsored by: Franklin, Day One, Yobow
Paddle: Franklin 17mm carbon
Recent Achievement(s): Ranked number one in men’s singles and men’s doubles and number 2 in mixed doubles on World Pickleball Rankings, and number one on the APP tour

Q. How long have you been playing pickleball and how did you enter the world of pickleball?

I have been playing casually for about 5 years and full time as a pro since June 2021.

Q. What was your first pro tournament and when? 

I played in the first PPA Arizona in January of 2020.

Q. What was a stand out moment of any tournament for you?

Winning TOC in 2021 when I beat Ben Johns and snapped his winning streak and also beat Tyson twice to get the gold medal.

Q. Do you have a favourite drill? If so, what is it?

I like drilling resets cross court and diagonal to get to the kitchen line and then playing out the point.

Q. Who’s your pickleball hero?

I don’t think I have one…

Q. Name your top 3 favourite shots?

Forehand drive, backhand flick, and overhead.

Q. Do you identify more as a left side player or right side player?

I only identify as a left sided player. 

Q. What’s your favourite pickleball moment to-date?

Winning NYC Open with my sister.

Q. Name 3 other people you’d like to play rec games with and what is the match up?

Dylan Frazier against James Ignatowich and Federico Staksrud.

Q. What is your favourite tournament format to play in and why?

Traditional format, probably because I am most used to it and there’s not as much pressure on never missing a return or a serve or a third shot. 

Q. What does the sport of pickleball need the most in order for it to get to the “next level”? (can answer from a Canadian, USA or global perspective).

It needs a strong governing body that is acknowledged by all the tours and also more dedicated facilities with regulation sized courts and also to continue to spread to other countries. 

Q. What’s your favourite flavour of ice cream?

Salted Caramel.

Q. How do you recover from a day of competition in order to get ready for the next day?

Stretching, using the Yobow, drinking a Day One, eating a good dinner, and hydrating.

Q. Do you have a favourite tournament that you attend each year?

NYC Open.

Q. How do you prepare yourself mentally for competition?

Listen to music, talk strategy with my partners, and analyze my opponents.

Q. In how many years do you think pickleball will be an Olympic sport?

Hopefully it makes [it to the] 2028 [Olympics] as an exhibition sport. 

Q. What’s your favourite piece of advice to give to a beginner?

Make sure you cross train to avoid injury and work on dinks and resets. 

Q. Can you share with the readers something unique about yourself?

I am named after my grandfather. 

Bonus question(s) Round:

Q. what’s the most exciting part about pickleball for you these days?

I'm looking forward to my partnerships in 2023 with Dylan and Jorja.

Q. Additional bonus question: what does JW stand for? For this question I went to Julie for the answer. She confirmed it’s “James Walter”.

This article was taken from our 'Control the Kitchen' Newsletter, if you're interested in receiving more content like this, please feel free to sign up using the subscribe section located at the bottom left of this page (or underneath the article if you're on mobile), thanks!